Early screening has been called key lowering prostate cancer deaths, but two large studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that screening had little to no effect on how many men die from prostate cancer.

Instead, the studies found, more men are getting tests and treatments they don't need, risking side effects such as incontinence and impotence. Despite results two upstate doctors still recommend early screenings.

"Get your PSA checked every year," said prostate cancer survivor Jim Cirasuolo.

Cirasuolo says the simple blood test saved his life.

"Initially my family doctor thought it was an infection," Cirasuolo said.

After a prostate specific antigen test, or PSA, Cirasuolo was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"When you hear the word cancer everything stops," said Cirasuolo.

An early diagnosis, led to an early cure.

"Nothing had spread beyond the prostate," Cirasuolo added.

Prostate cancer will affect on in six men in their lifetime.

“There are really no early signs of prostate cancer. That's why screening is so important," Dr. Louis Eichel of Rochester General Hospital.

Not all cases of the disease are fatal.

“Many men with prostate cancer are likely to die with it. Not of it," said Dr. Ganesh Palapattu of the University of Rochester.

The two studies by the New England Journal of medicine tackled the issue of whether or not men should get regular blood tests for prostate cancer.

"Unfortunately the results are somewhat confusing," said Ganesh.

The large trials in the U.S, and overseas had conflicting results. Leaving some to wonder if the screenings really lower prostate cancer deaths.

"Those are the kinds of answers we'd like to see from the trials going forward with more data analysis," Ganesh said.

Regardless of the data doctors say there's only one way to find out how aggressive a case of prostate cancer really is.